Bitter Family Testifies At Hearing

MIAMI - — Loved ones of a young couple bludgeoned to death in a University of Miami apartment two years ago shared their pain with a Miami-Dade County jury on Monday.

The families' sorrow even touched the convicted killer, Labrant Leshawn Dennis, 26, who wiped away a tear as the parents of the two victims testified at his sentencing hearing.

Last month, Dennis was convicted of killing his estranged girlfriend, Timwanika Lumpkins, and her friend, UM linebacker Marlin Barnes, both 22, in April 1996.

After listening to more testimony today, the jury of 12 will recommend whether Circuit Judge Manuel Crespo should send Dennis to Florida's electric chair.

"There is no joy in our lives anymore," said Charlie Postell, Barnes' mother, who broke down on the stand as she told how her oldest son was also her friend and confidant. "He's taken everything from me."

Lumpkins' father, Dewayne Lee, said he now felt "a pain I would not wish on anyone."

"And it doesn't get any better. My family thinks I need psychiatric help -- I probably do."

Monday marked the first time Postell, Lee and scores of relatives and friends had a chance to tell their children's convicted killer how they felt.

Postell and Lee shot seering stares at Dennis from the stand and as they walked past him at the defense table. He once looked away, covering his eyes.

Dennis' attorney, trying to spare his life, said his client is not a calculated, cold killer and should get life in prison without parole.

"This was not a paid-for-murder, a hit or a serial killer," said Ron Guralnick. "This is a crime of passion."

Relatives described their shock at learning that Dennis, Lumpkin's estranged boyfriend, was the prime suspect.

Dennis and Postell were co-workers at Doral Country Club in west Miami-Dade, and she considered him a friend and "used to talk to him Dennis] about my child all the time," she said, still in disbelief.

Lee also knew Dennis, the father of his grandchild. After testifying, Lee said he had to control himself from jumping Dennis. "It took everything I had," he said.

Monday's' hearing also frayed the nerves of Judge Crespo, who at one point screamed and pounded his hand on the bench at defense attorney Guralnick.